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Diamond-Grilled Windows

Peter in Burlington, WA — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:43 GMT

That seems high, but I doubt the simulated divided lights were causing most of it. What kind of windows did you request and is the quote through a dealer?

Diamond-Grilled Windows

Elizabeth in Ellicott City, MD — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:06:27 GMT

Andersen quoted $42,000 for windows on a $2,400 sq. ft. plan. This seemed pretty high. I will check out your website. Thanks!

Diamond-Grilled Windows

Peter in Burlington, WA — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:10:06 GMT

I think what you might be looking for are grilles that create "simulated divided lights". Building an actual window with real diamond pane divided lights would be a disaster as far as modern window expectations go, not to mention extremely pricey. That's more the realm of firms that create architectural reproductions.

Window manufacturers like Andersen offer the grilles in different patterns to go outside or between the panes of insulating glass as a decorative feature. Some of it is even snap-on to allow for easier window cleaning. Andersen windows are really quite modestly priced as far as the range of windows goes. Since that pattern is relatively rare these days, I would be surprised to find lower-end window manufacturers offering it except as maybe a costly customization.

There are firms that specialize in simulated divided lights and you might look into them as something you could add after your choice of windows were installed. Here is a link to one of them:

jjjspecialty.com.

Premium Steel Building Systems

Ken in OH — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:06:49 GMT

If you want to talk to me, PM me about my experience where I lost $48,000 to Bill Molle/Bill Splete... they collected money, started the work, claimed a "change order", and that was the beginning of the end. Bill Molle would never call me back and Splete never lived up to a promise and blamed it all on Molle.

Diamond-Grilled Windows

Elizabeth in Ellicott City, MD — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:26 GMT

I am building a Cotswold cottage that calls for diamond-grilled casement windows. I am having a hard time finding a window manufacturer besides Andersen that makes these types of windows. Does any one out there know of a window manufacturer that makes this type of windows at a reasonable price? Andersen is very expensive.

-Elizabeth

Financing?

Bob in Chapel Hill, NC — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:40:12 GMT

We are just finishing our owner-build in Orange County and finding/dealing with the bank was our biggest challenge, but we got through it. In order to get our construction loan, I had to prove that I had ample construction experience to oversee the process. Every other bank I contacted wanted a licensed GC to sign before they would consider making a loan. Feel free to contact me for specifics.

Financing?

Matt in Mooresville, NC — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:21:59 GMT

As Adam said, it will be difficult, but I would definitely recommend calling all the smaller local banks and credit unions around you. We started our house in March of 2010. I must have talked to 30 different banks, and I finally found one that was willing to work with me as long as I used a contractor he was familiar with to do the framing and basically get the house "dried-in". They knew one of the contractors on my short list that I was looking to use, so it all worked out for me.

I don't know what your situation is, but if you have other property you could borrow against or have significant equity in the land already, I know several people who have gotten creative coming up with money for construction and then paying it all back off with a mortgage once their house is completed.

Financing?

Adam in Southport, NC — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:24:30 GMT

Stephanie,

I think you will find it difficult if not impossible to get O-B financing these days. We actually ended up hiring a GC at a monthly flat rate to put his license on the line for us. He pulled all permits, carried the insurance, and gave us the option of using his subs or our own. It worked out well in the end, though there were some difficult moments.

If you can prove to a bank that you have the management skills and are carrying enough liability umbrella coverage, you may sweet talk them into financing you. Obviously, this won't work in a mega monster bank, but has a chance of working with a local bank that services the loans in-house.

Good luck!

Adam

Financing?

Stefanie in Cary, NC — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:14:03 GMT

We have designs and started the permitting process (building in Wake County) when we came across this book and forum. Haven't been happy with our builder and are seriously considering being our own builder. The biggest problem we've run into is financing. Has anyone recently found a bank/lender that would allow O-B without a GC?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Stefanie